Hello from Europe!

I have a big problem with my Sportsman 500.

(Sorry for the much blabla, - but it is very hard for me to express my problem precis in english).

Some of you guys will remember my posting approx. 6 weeks ago (Trouble to disable 4WD-mode at a Sportsman 500) and I thank you again for the tons of tips to get that trouble solved. (Well almost solved ;-)

Now, after my mechanic was fideling around a couple of dozen times, the disabling of 4X4 seems to work,- I must drive back and forth a couple of times to disable the front wheel drive but that seems to be normal, right?

Would be interested in your experience....how you guys get that done at the Sportsman ?!

I think it is a kinda wired patent and if I would have known that in advance, I certainly would have chosen the RMK or the Traxter from Bombardier.


But anyway, now I have another big problem:

Now, 120 of a total 160 Mileage was driven from my mechanic to test the ATV and I get it always back in a good steering condition, that means I can steer the front wheels pretty easy, even on a paved surface.

After using the 4X4 (when I was using 4X4 and I turned it off and 4X4 is definately off!!!!), it gives me a very hard time to steer the ATV. I mean 4 X 4 is definately off, just the rear axle is powered but still a hard muscle job to steer the ATV. In case I must ride a little curve on a paved road, I have to speed down to 15 Mls/ hr, otherwise the ATV would run straight ahead. It is a real hard muscle job to make the turn and a little kid (except Tarzans son) or a woman wouldnt be able to do that at all.

The ATV is to stear like an old stubborn donkey then and no way to release that. I must take it back to the mechanic and he lifts the rear axle and or so (dont know exactly what he does , but he does it on a table in his shop) and the front wheels are released.


Back home and back to the woods and same trouble again and again, again.

Finally, we both dont know what to do, - guys - does anybody know the answer? Do I have to take the ATV back to the dealer every time when I was using the 4X4?

Hope you guys have better equipment to kick Bin Ladens *** - otherwise it wont turn out good for you.

Hope somebody got it what I mean, and sorry for my poor english.


Martin from Austria

 

Let me assure you, that is NOT normal. It sounds to me that something is wrong with your 4 wheel drive (obviously). You should not have to take it to your dealer everytime you use 4 wheel drive. You also should not have to go back and forth to disengage your 4 wheel drive. I'm sure you checked your fluid level in the hubs, right? Other than that, the only other problem could be wiring or something inside the hubs.

No offense meant, but telling people not to buy a Sportsman because of your problems is wrong. Just what I think. I realize this is a difficult situation for you because of your being in Europe, but this problem doesn't occur often, and if it does, it is usually promptly fixed by a dealer. Maybe someone else can help you better.

 

Well, yes, I appologize for being a wise ***.
But my personal experience with my Sportsman is just 100% negative since I got it on September 11. A bad day at all.

 

Yes, fluid level in hubs was checked and its ok. Pressure in tires too. My dealer even adjusted the gear selection bar - it works softer now tp put in the gears.

 

I bought mine on Sept. 7th I have or should I say I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM YOU JUST POSTED.I just got mine back from the second POLARIS repair shop and they found 2 problems with mine the first repair shop couldnt fix a red wagon the mechanic was as stupid as they come he said that the problem was common on these A.T.Vs and he even had a new unit he tested and it did the same thing.MY response to him was now you have to screwed machines'but any way I found a dealer who had POLARIS master mechanic's and they found the peoblem within 30 min.#1. problem found was overtightened hub nuts on both front hubs.#2 problem was I had a bad magnetic coil that stayed magnatized when there was no voltage at the coil you could put a washer up to the coil while holding it in your hand and it would stick to the coil as if it had voltage applied to it.this caused my left hub to stay engaged most of the time making it hard to steer and also it wouldnt let my machine roll backwards in netural or in reverse unless you hammered down on the throttle.I hope this info helps you with your problem

 

Hi , Samclaw, that helps a lot! Is there a way to get in touch with your mehanic somehow?

I mean my mechanic is a good mechanic, but doesnt speak english at all and he knows how to reapir tractors but not ATVs.

I would like to talk to your guy, maybe mine gets a clue what do do at all. That may be able taht the hubs are overtightened- tractor-mechanic like.

The bad thing is taht we have no Polaris Servicehotline over here.

Thanks a lot

Martin

 

I ride my SP500 on the road sometimes, and it is hard to steer, but the front end is not engaged. I am curious as to whether you have a problem at all. The next time you think it is locked up, jack up the rear end and test for yourself.

By the way, I have not heard much from people of other contries regarding the US actions in Afganastan... Do you think our actions are justified? And what do others in your country think of our attack on the Taliban? Do you think people around Europe understand that our actions are not religious in nature???

Off the subject, but just curious.

Greg

 

please.....do REMEMBER that before Columbus discovered the new continent, only buffalos and indians lived over there ! so I'm just a bit surprise to read "IF we understand the the USAF bombs are not religious"[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I rode a Polaris 325 today (dont ask me for the exact name of the model) at my dealer (to compare) and it is very easy to steer. If I compare that to the donkey kinda steering of my Sportsman 500 it is a pleasure to ride that 325 except the lack of power, of course. My dealer told me that the hard steering of my SP 500 is caused by the high weight. But there is just a difference of maybe 140 pounds or less and i cannot believe his argument.

He sent me home with it and told me that it is normal to steer. I also had a call today to the importer in Italy and they told me that I have to read the manual on page 52. Thats about the ATV qualification of Europes dealership.

I will test it again tommorow but there is no comfort in steering at all. It is a hard job to steer.

Hard to imagine how the 700 is to steer if its even heavier than the 500 - I would like to get to know.....how that works. maybe you can save the $ for the gym because the muscles swell just by steering that monster.


About Afganistan. Well, Europeans are more sensitive about bombing at all - due to the fact of WWI and WW II where millions of Germans died by allied attacks.

At the moment , the Green party starts a campaign against the bombing, but they also voted to quit the membership in the Nato and try to safe every cows life of ending up as a sandwich at MCDonalds.


The majority 90% think the same way than Americans: These jerks have to be punched down.

 

Bulli,
I apologize, but I do not understand your comment... What I was asking is if Europeans understood that this has nothing to do with religion... we do not care what Afganastans believe in. This is not the US VS Islam??

If I offended you, I apologize. That was not my intent...

Please explain the buffalos and Indian comments??

Greg